Filter with cleaning means



Sept. 27, 1966 J. BOCHAN FILTER WITH CLEANING MEANS Filed Oct. 24, 1963 H- ATTORNEY B H a d Ll. M

United States Patent 3,275,143 FILTER WITH CLEANING MEANS John Bochan, Louisville, Ky., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Filed Oct. 24, 1963, Ser. No. 318,571 7 Claims. (Cl. 210-120) My invention relates to a filter, and more particularly to a filter suitable for use with a wash liquid storage and re-use system of the type sometimes provided for clothes washing machines.

By means of a wash liquid storage and re-use system, commonly called a suds return system, the hot sudsy liquid used in the washing step of an automatic clothes washing machine may be passed into a suitable storage reservoir after the washing step is completed rather than being discharged to the drain. The sudsy water is retained in the reservoir until the washing machine completes its cycle of operation, rinsing and centrifugally extracting the water from the clothes, and the clothes are taken out of the machine. Then the system is eifective to return the sudsy liquid from the reservoir to the washer container for washing and second load of clothes. This re-use of sudsy liquid, of course, provides appreciable saving in both hot liquid and detergent. However, some ditliculty has been encountered with prior art wash liquid storage and re-use systems in that the wash liquid was not filtered prior to its reintroduction into the washing machine.

Itis an object of my invention to provide an improved filter particularly suited for use with a wash liquid storage and re-use system effective to filter the stored wash liquid prior to its reintroduction into the washing machine.

It is another object of my invention to provide a selfcleaning filter particularly suited for such use.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds.

My invention, in one form thereof, is particularly suitable for use in a washing machine including a liquid container, such as a tub, and a drain pump for draining liquid from the container. A drain hose is arranged for discharging the wash liquid to a drain and a storage hose communicates with a storage reservoir for storing wash liquid and for returning it to the machine. In order to pump the stored liquid from the reservoir back into the container, the drain pump may be of the reversible turbine type. A valve means is arranged for selectively connecting the drain pump to the storage hose or the drain hose, simultaneously closing the entry to the other of these two hoses. The porous wall filter of my invention is connected to the storage hose so as to filter stored wash liquid as it is returned to the container, and so that a portion of the wash liquid draining from the container will clean the filtera More specifically, the filter includes a hollow filter element having a porous wall and a restricted portion adjacent its outlet, together with check valve means ensuring that liquid may only flow from theinlet, not enter the filter element therethrough. When stored wash liquid is being returned to the container, the check :valve means prevents it from flowing in through the outlet, and so the liquid passes in through the porous wall and is thereby filtered. When wash liquid is subsequently drained from the container through the filter, some of it fiows directly through the outlet. However, because the outlet is restricted, there is suflicient pressureto force some of'the liquid out through-the porous wall, thereby cleansing the wall surface of the dirt and lint deposited thereon previ ouslyduring return of wash liquid to the machine.

Thefeatures of my invention whichl believe to .be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, can best be understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE l is a schematic front elevational view of a washing machine and wash liquid storage and re-use system which includes my improved filter, the view being partially in section to illustrate details;

FIGURE -2 is a partial schematic front elevational view of a washing machine and wash liquid storage and re-use system which includes a second embodiment of my improved filter;

FIGURE 3 is an elevational view in cross-section of the embodiment of my improved filter illustrated in FIGURE 2, dshowing the filter element in the extended position, an

FIGURE 4 is an elevational view in cross-section similar to FIGURE 3, showing the filter element in the folded or filtering position.

Referring now to FIGURE 1, I have shown therein in schematic form an agitator-type washing machine, generally indicated by the numeral 1. The machine 1 contains a clothes basket 2 having perforations 3 over its side and bottom walls and disposed within an imperforate tub or casing 4. The tub 4 may be mounted within an outer appearance casing; however, the appearance casing has been omitted for purposes of clarity. At the center of basket 2 there is provided a vertical axis agitator 5 which includes a center post 6 and a plurality of curved vanes 7 extending out from the center post and connected together at their base by a fiared skirt 8. Both the basket 2 and agitator -5 are movably mounted. conventionally, the basket 2 is mounted for rotation and the agitator 5 1s mounted for some type of oscillatory motion which will effect a washing action of clothes in the basket 2. In one conventional structure, the clothes basket 2 may be secured to a hollow shaft member 9 and the agitator may be secured to a shaft 10 which extends up within shaft *9 in rotatable relation thereto.

During the cycle of operations of machine 1, the tub 4 is filled and the agitator 5 is oscillated back and forth within the basket 2 to wash the clothes therein. Then, after a predetermined period of this washing action, the basket 2 is rotated at high speed to centrifugally extract the washing liquid. Following this extraction operation, a supply of clean liquid is introduced into the clothes basket 2 for rinsing the clothes and the agitator 5 is again oscillated. :Finally, the basket 2 is once more rotated at high speed to extract the rinse liquid.

The basket 2 and agitator 5 are driven from a reversible drlve motor 11 which drives the basket 2 and agitator 5 through a drive including a clutch 12 mounted on the motor shaft. Clutch 12 allows the motor to start without load and then pick up the load as it comes up to speed. A suitable belt 13 transmits power to a transmission assembly 14 through a pulley 15. Thus, depending upon the direction of moto-r'rotation, the pulley 15 of transl'll'lSSlOIl 14 is driven in opposite directions. The trans mission 14 is so arranged that it supports and drives both shafts 9 and 10. When motor 11 is rotated in one direction, the transmission causes the agitator 5 to be oscillated through shaft 10. Conversely, when the motor'is driven in the opposite direction, the transmission drives the wash basket 2 and the agitator 5, through shafts 9 and 10, together at high speed for centrifugal extraction of liquid from the clothes. While the particular form of the drive means does not form part of the present invention, reference is made to Patent 2,844,225 issued on July 22, 1958, to James R. Hubbard et a1., and assigned to the General Electric Company, assignee of the present invention. That patent discloses in detail the structural characteristics of a transmission suitable for use in the illustrated machine.

In order to introduce washing and rinsing liquid into theassem'bly of basket 2 and tub 4 suitable conduit means (not shown) are provided for leading hot liquid and cold liquid to the machine. The passage of cold liquid is controlled by a valve 16 whose position is controlled by a solenoid assembly partially shown by the numeral 17.

As is well known in the art, when the solenoid 17 is energized, valve 16 is opened and cold liquid may flow through the valve into conduit 18 and then from outlet 19 into the tub. 4. Whenthe solenoid 17 is de-energized, the valve 16 is closed and there is no flow of cold liquid into the tub 4. -In similar fashion, the flow of hot liquid is.

controlled by a valve 20 which is controlled by a solenoid partially shown by the numeral 21. Energization of the solenoid 21 causes hot liquid to flow from conduit '18 out p through outlet 19, and "de-energization'. of solenoid 21 closes the valve 20 and prevents flow of hot liquid into the tub 4. V

In addition to operatingtransm-ission 14 as described, motor 11 also provides a direct drive through a flexible coupling 22 to a pump structure generally indicated by the numeral 23, which includes separate pumps 24 and 25, both operated in the same direction simultaneously by the motor 11. Pump 25 is connected by an inlet conduit 26 to an opening 27 formed in the lowermost point of tub 4. Pump 25 is also connected to an outlet conduit 28. Pump 24 is connected :by an inlet conduit 29 to the interior of tub 24 and'by an outlet conduit 30 to a nozzle 31 positioned over basket 2 so as to discharge thereinto. Pump 25 is formed so that in the spin direction of motor rotation it will draw liquidfrom opening 27 through con-,

duit 26 and discharge it through conduit 28. In the wash 7 direction of rotation it is substantially ineffective, merely 1 tending to draw air in through conduit 28 and discharge it through conduit 26 at the bottom of tub 4. The tendency to pump air into tub 4 may be prevented, ifso desired, by providing a trap 32 in conduit 28. Similarly, in the wash direction of motorrotation, pump 24 draws liquid through conduit 29 and discharges it through conduit 30 and nozzle 31; in the spin direction of rotation, the pump 24 is substantially ineffective, merely tending to draw air in through'nozzle 31' and discharge'it through inlet conduit 29 at the bottom of the tub 4.

Nozzle 31 is poistioned to discharge into a filter pan 33 secured on the top portion 34 of the agitator 5 so as to be movable therewith. With this structure, when the motor is rotated so as to provide agitation, the liquid discharged from nozzle 31 by pump 24 passes substantially horizontally through an air gap and then into the filter pan 33. The filter pan 33 has a perforated bottom (not shown) which acts as a lint filter causing lint which is separated from the clothes during a washing operation to be filtered out of the liquid, thus preventing it from being deposited on the clothes. This type of structure is more'fully described and claimed in Patent 2,481,979 is-,

and pan 33 constitute a recirculation means for the liquid in tub 4. i 1

Outlet conduit 28 of pump 25 is bifurcated to .form ends 35 and 36. End 35 is connected by means of a flexible valve element 37 to a drain conduit 38 which extends into the upper end of a drain standpipe 39. End 26 is connected by means of a flexible valve-element 40 to a condut 41 whiich is in communication with a storage container 42.

The valve elements 37 and 40 are receivedin recesses in valve actuator 43. Valve actuator 43 is operatively connected to a solenoid plunger 44 by means of a pivoted arm 45 and spring 46. The solenoid plunger 44 is re- 7 It will be further observed that the conduits 29 and 30, together with the pump 24, nozzle 31,

i mitted through outlet conduit 28 by means of pump 25 to flow through drain conduit 38 into the drain standpipe 39. When the solenoid 47 is actuated, the solenoid plunger 44 is lowered and the pivoted arm 45 is rotated counterclockwise to move the valve actuator 43 to the right, closing valve element 37 and opening valve element 40. This allows liquid passage'between pump. 25 and storage container 42 through outlet conduit 28, valve element 40, and conduit 41. 1

The pump 25 is of the reversible turbine type which reverses its pumping direction whenits direction of rotation is reversed. Thus, with the valve actuator43in the position shown, during the wash operation the pump tends tocause flow from the drain standpipef39, toward 8 the machine;v However, since there is no source of liquid at the end of the conduit 38, only air is moved 'by the pump and no effective pumping actionis achieved; When the direction of rotation of the motor 11 is reversed for spin operation, the, pump 25 reverses its'directionand pumps the liquid in the machine out through outlet conduit 28, valve element 37, and drain conduit 38 and into the drain standpipe 39 so that it cango to the sewer system.

However, if the wash liquid is to be saved, solenoid 47 is energized, lowering the solenoid plunger 44 and rotating the pivoted arm 45 to move the valve actuator 43 .to the right, opening valve element 40 and closing valve element 37. .With the valve actuator in this position the. pumping action of pump 25 during spin pumps the liquid out of the machine and through outlet conduit '28, .valve In order to filter the stored washing liquidto make it more satisfactory for use with a second load of clothes a filter unit 48 is attached to the end of conduit 41 which is received in storage container 42. Filter unit 48 includes an elongated housing 49 which is formed as an exten-* sion of conduit 41 and rests on the lower surface of storage container 42. The housing 49 is provided with an opening 50 in alignment with conduit 41. A filter element 51 is mounted within the housing 49 so that an axial passage 52 provided in the filter element 51 is in alignment with the opening 50 and storage conduit 41. The filter element 51 is formed with a cylindrical porous wall 53 which extends downwardly from opening 50 and terminates above the lower end of housing 49. .The lower end of porous wall 53 is j-oined'to a nonporous cylindrical end member 54 which is provided with an axial opening 55 in alignment with axial passage 52. The end member 54 is provided with an inwardly extending shoulder portion 56 forming a restriction in axial opening 55. The lower end of end member 54 isprovided with a flapper type check valve 57 which permits liquid to flow through end member 54 out of filter element 51 but prevents any flow into filter element 51 through end member 54. End member 54 includes an outwardly, extend ings59 which allow liquid to pass to and from the outer surface of porous Wall 53 while housing 49 includes openings 60 adjacent its lower end to allow liquid toflow to andfrom the interior of the housing 49. Additionally the housing 49 is provided with openings 61 adjacent.

conduit 41 and these openings are closed by means of flapper valves 62. The flapper valves 62 allow air to escape from the housing 49 as the liquid level in the storage container 42 rises but prevent liquid flow inwardly through openings 61.

The mode of operation of the filter unit 48 may be best explained by assuming that the spin operation of the washing machine 1 for a first load of clothes has been completed and that the wash liquid has been stored in storage container 42. As the motor 11 is rotated to give a washing action for a second load of clothes, the pump unit 25 is rotated in a direction to draw the stored wash liquid from the storage container 42 back into the tub 4 and the valve element 40 is open while the valve element 37 is closed. The stored wash liquid in container 42 is drawn in through the openings 60 in the lower end of housing 49; however, flapper valve 57 prevents the water from being drawn into the lower end of end member 54. Therefore, the water flows upwardly through the openings 59 and then through the porous wall 53 into axial passage 52 from whence it flows through conduit 41, valve element 40, and outlet conduit 28 back to the pump 25 and then to tub 4. The flapper valves 62 prevent wash liquid from being drawn through openings 61 if the liquid level in storage container 42 happens to be at a level above the upper end of housing 49 when the wash operation is begun. The porous wall 53 serves to filter the wash liquid as it passes back toward the machine 1 in order to cleanse the liquid and prepare it for a second washing action. The lint and dirt in the wash liquid are collected on the outer surface of the porous wall 53. I

On the next occasion that the operator desires to save the wash liquid for re-use, the valve element 40 is opened so that liquid extracted from clothes during spin operation of the machine 1 is pumped by pump 25 through outlet conduit 28, valve element 40, and storage conduit 41 into the filter element 51. Most of the liquid flows through the axial passage 52 in filter element 51 and outwardly through the axial opening 55 in end member 54. The restriction formed by the shoulder portion 56 results in a buildup of pressure within the axial passage 52, which causes a portion of the Wash liquid flowing through axial passage 52 to be diverted and flow outwardly through the porous Wall 53. This liquid which is diverted functions to wash the lint and dirt from the outer surface of the porous wall 53 to rehabilitate the filter and prepare it for a subsequent filtering operation. This cleaning and filtering operation is repeated as wash liquid is saved and then returned to the washing machine 1.

The storage container 42 is formed with an outlet 42a communicating with the household drain 42b. The drain standpipe 39 is normally inserted in the outlet 42a to prevent escape of liquid from the container 42; however, when cleaning of the container 42 is desired, the drain standpipe is removed. Rotation of the motor in the direction for spin operation with the solenoid 47 energized causes the liquid to flow through the filter element 51 and out of the container 42 via the outlet 42a and drain 4212. This cleans the filter 51 and removes the accumulated lint and dirt from the system. The standpipe 39 is then replaced and the system is ready for further storage and re-use cycles.

Another embodiment of my invention is illustrated in FIGURES 2, 3 and 4. As is shown in FIGURE 2, pump 25 is connected to an outlet conduit 63 which is joined to a filter unit 64. The other end of filter unit 64 is connected to a vent conduit 65 having a bifurcated portion providing ends 66 and 67. The end 66 is connected to the drain conduit 38 by means of the valve element 37 while the end 67 is connected to the conduit 41 by means of valve element 40. The valve actuator and solenoid mechanism are of the same construction and operation as in the first embodiment.

The filter unit 64 includes a cylindrical housing 68 provided with a first conduit 69 at its upper end and a second conduit 70 at its lower end for connection to the outlet conduit 63 and the vent conduit 65 respectively. The first conduit 69 has a perforated portion 69a which projects into the housing 68 and forms a mounting for a flexible filter element 71. The filter element 71 is formed by a cylindrical Web-like member 72 having an axial passage 73. The cylindrical member 72 terminates in a rigid end member 74 which has axial opening 75 in alignment with axial passage 73. End member 74 is made of a reduced diameter at its lower end to provide a restricted outlet 76.

Explanation of the mode of operation of the second embodiment of my invention is facilitated by beginning with wash liquid stored in storage container 42 and the machine 1 operating to wash a second load of clothes. Pump 25 will rotate to draw the wash liquid out of the storage container 42 and through the conduit 41, the valve element 40, the vent conduit 65, the filter 64, and the outlet conduit 63 back to the pump 25 and then to the tub 4. In this operation the flow of liquid through the filter unit 64 is in through second conduit 70 and out through first conduit 69. The pressure of liquid against the Web-like member 72 and the rigid end member 74 causes the web-like member 72 to fold upon itself into a compact mass as illustrated in FIGURE 4. This compacted mass of web-like material effectively closes axial passage 73, thus acting as a check valve, and prevents liquid flow inwardly through the restricted outlet 76 and axial opening 75. This results in liquid flowing through the wall of the web-like member 72 in order to enter first conduit 69. This liquid flow through the wall of web-like member 73 effectively filters the liquid and deposits the lint and dirt contained therein on the outer surface of the web-like member 72.

During the next spin cycle of washing machine 1, liquid flow through filter unit 64 is in through first conduit 69 and out through second conduit 70. This will be the case regardless whether the liquid is to be stored in storage container 42 or directed to drain standpipe 39 by means of drain conduit 38, since filter unit 64 is located on the Washing machine side of valve elements 37- and 40. The flow of liquid into axial passage 73 from first conduit 69 functions to elongate the 'Web-like member 72 so that it assumes the position shown in FIGURE 3. The restricted outlet 76 causes a buildup of pressure within the axial passage 73, thus diverting a portion of the liquid and causing it to flow outwardly through the Wall of the web-like member 72. This flow of liquid outwardly through Web-like member 72 efl ectively cleanses the outer surface of the web-like member 72 of lint and dirt, thus rehabilitating it for its next filtering operation.

Modifications of this invention will occur to those skilled in the art and it is desired to be understood, therefore, that this invention is not to be limited to the particular arrangements disclosed, but that the appended claims are meant to cover all modifications which are Within the spirit and scope of this invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. For use with a liquid re-use system; a filter assembly comprising:

(a) a hollow filter element forming a passage therethrough and having a porous Wall efiective to filter liquid passed therethrough from the outside to the inside of said filter element,

(b) said passage having a restricted portion adjacent one end thereof to cause a portion of the liquid flowing through said passage toward said one end to pass through said porous wall from the inside to the outside of said filter element to clean said filter element,

(0) and check valve means arranged to prevent flow in through said one end of said passage and to permit 7 flow out through said one end, thereby requiring liquid passing into said filter, element to pass through said porous wall. 2. Afilter assembly as described in claim 1 wherein said check valve means comprises a valve mounted across.

said one end of said passage to prevent liquid flow into said passage.

3. For use with a liquid re-use system; a filter assembly comprising:

(a) a hollow filter element forming a passage therethrough and having a porous wall effective to filter liquid passed ,therethrough from the. outside to the inside of said filter element,

(b) said passage having a restricted portion adjacent one end thereof to cause a portion of the liquid flowing through said passage toward said one end to pass through said porous wall from the inside to the outside of said filter element to clean said filter element, V

(c) said porous wallbeing constructed atleastin part of a flexible material which folds upon itself when liquid-flow is from the outside of said element to the inside thereof for blocking said one end of said passage to cause liquidto flow through said. porous .wall to eflect filtering of the liquid.

4. For use with a liquid re-use system; a filter assembly comprising:

(a) a filter housing,

I (b) a first conduit extending into one end of said hous- (c) a second conduit connected in liquid flow relationship to the other end of said housing, a a

(d) a hollow filter element having one end mounted on said first conduit,

(1) said filter element forming a through,

(e) said filter element being constructed of a flexible porous material which folds upon itself when liquid flow is from said second conduit to said first conduit to block said'passage and cause liquid flow through said porous .wall to effect filtering of the liquid, and

(f) an end member attached to the other end of said filter element and having a restricted opening in alignment with said passage to cause at least a portion of liquid flowing through said filter element from said conduit to said second conduit to flow through said porous wall, thereby to clean said porous wall.

5. For use with a wash liquid re-use system; a filter assembly comprising;

(a) an elongated filter housing,

(b) a first conduit having a perforated portion extending into one end of said housing,

(0) a second conduit connected in liquid flow relationship to the other end of said housing,

passage there- (d) a hollow filter. element having one end mounted about said perforated portion of said first conduit, said filter element forming a passage :there'through,

I (e) said filter element being constructed of a flexible porous material which folds upon itselfwhen liquid flow is from said, second conduit to said first conduit to block saidpassage and cause liquid fiow through said porous wall to efliect filtering of the liquid, and V (f) an end member attached to the other end of said filter element and having .a restricted opening in alignment with said passage to cause at least aportion of liquid flowing through said filter element from said first conduit to said second conduit to, flow through said porous wall, thereby to clean said porous wall. 7 V

6. For use with awash liquid reuse systemya filter assembly comprising:

(a) an elongated filter conduit at the upper end thereof, q if (b) a hollow elongated filter, element having'a porous wall, 1

(1) said filter element being mounted in said housing for connection to the, conduit, (2) said filter element forming an axial passage therethrough in alignment with the conduit, (c) said passage having a restricted portion adjacent the lower end thereof to cause a portion of the liquid flowing down therethrough to fiow through said porous wall to clean said porous wall, and

(d) a check valve mounted at the .lower end of said passage to prevent'liquid flow through said end into said passage, thereby causing liquid flowing into the lower end .of said housing to pass throughsaid .p0- rous wall into said passage, ,whereby filtering of the liquid is elfected. 7.'The filter assembly described in claim 6 wherein said housing includes a check valve at its upper, end to permit escape of air. trapped in said housing.

References Cited by the Examiner .REUBEN FRIEDMAN, Primary Examiner.

F. A. SPEAR, Assistant Examiner.

housing open at the lower end a thereof and adapted to receive a fluid-conducting 

1. FOR USE WITH A LIQUID RE-USE SYSTEM; A FILTER ASSEMBLY COMPRISING: (A) A HOLLOW FILTER ELEMENT FORMING A PASSAGE THERETHROUGH AND HAVING A POROUS WALL EFFECTIVE TO FILTER LIQUID PASSED THERETHROUGH FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE INSIDE OF SAID FILTER ELEMENT, (B) SAID PASSAGE HAVING A RESTRICTED PORTION ADJACENT ONE END THEREOF TO CAUSE A PORTION OF THE LIQUID FLOWING THROUGH SAID PASSAGE TOWARD SAID ONE END TO PASS THROUGH SAID POROUS WALL FROM THE INSIDE TO THE OUTSIDE OF SAID FILTER ELEMENT TO CLEAN SAID FILTER ELEMENT, (C) AND CHECK VALVE MEANS ARRANGED TO PREVENT FLOW IN THROUGH SAID ONE END OF SAID PASSAGE AND TO PERMIT FLOW OUT THROUGH SAID ONE END, THEREBY REQUIRING LIQUID PASSING INTO SAID FILTER ELEMENT TO PASS THROUGH SAID POROUS WALL. 